In the December issue of the Wenatchee Business Journal we had the story of a long time local business that is shutting its doors because they can no longer compete with the Internet - specifically Amazon.com. That story reminded me of the importance of supporting our local businesses. And with the holiday shopping season underway it is especially important to remember to support local businesses that give so much back to our community. Here are some important facts to remember:Wednesday, December 7, 2016

t is always a pleasure to read in the Echo that another "Never Trumper" wants to leave Leavenworth for resettlement to Canada. I offer my assistance to Mr. Tom Guthrie in achieving his relocation dream. So many liberals such as Cher, Barbara Streisand, Al Sharpton and other Hollywood stars bray like a Donkey in their desire to move to Canada, but they never seem to have the mojo to do so. Where they have failed, I want you to succeed. Thursday, December 1, 2016

Cuban dictator Fidel Castro died last week. There were celebrations in Florida but in the immortal words of Hillary Clinton, "What difference does it make?" None. The country is and has been under the thumb of Fidel's brother Raul for since 2008. Raul has been the head of the Armed Forces for 49 years and a rebel commander in the 1950s. In other words, he was equally responsible for the repressive regime and there is no indication he is likely to change the direction of government in Cuba.Thursday, December 1, 2016

Last week I received a press release from a "coalition of environmentalists" who claim they want to save our wild salmon. The following is an excerpt of that release:Across the Pacific Northwest, people have been speaking out to advocate for solutions to save endangered salmon in the Columbia-Snake River Basin. This week, hundreds are expected to turn out to hearings in Spokane, Lewiston, and Walla Walla to call for the removal of four dams on the Lower Snake River. But the government agencies that oversee dam operations have failed to set up a process that invites meaningful public participation, leaving those attending the public meetings feeling frustrated and disenfranchised.Wednesday, November 23, 2016

One of my subscribers sent me a personal note last week telling me not to gloat in my column this week reminding me that Hillary won the popular vote. Let me just say that it is far too early for any gloating. Trump won the election but now it's time for him to prove he is up to the challenge. American's elected him because they are calling for change. They have been calling for that for several elections and both parties have so far failed to heed the call.The success of Trump's Presidency will be determined not by the campaign promises or politically incorrect comments he made on the stump, but by the results he delivers during his time in office.Thursday, November 17, 2016

Eastern Washingtonians have often called for splitting the state in two in order to be free of the insane politics of the wet side. In fact, many east siders no longer vote because they believe their votes will simply be drowned out by the Puget Sound socialists. But failing to participate will not change the insanity that is growing in Washington state politics, and without a resounding vote from eastern side conservatives, wet side conservatives have no chance of influencing wet side politics.Wednesday, October 19, 2016

This is undoubtedly the most difficult but most significant Presidential election in the last 30 years. It is not easy because Americans are deeply divided and often driven to make this decision based on questionable gut wrenching emotional issues that have little to do with the real issues facing our country.Let's face it. We are all flawed human beings. We have all said things and done things that are disgraceful. But what we said and what did 20 or 30 years ago is not necessarily a true reflection of who we are today.Wednesday, October 19, 2016